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INDIANAPOLIS - The Green Bay Packers' defense-heavy draft in 2012 made a difference, but not enough of one.

After general manager Ted Thompson used his first six draft picks on that side of the ball, the Packers last season improved in almost every defensive statistical category, most notably points allowed (from No. 19 in the NFL in 2011 to No. 11), yards allowed (No. 32 to No. 11), passing yards allowed (No. 32 to No. 11) and sacks (No 32 to No. 4).

But their performance in two of the last three games of the season - at Minnesota in the regular-season finale and at San Francisco in their ...